Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>

The spectrin family genes play critical roles in cytoskeletal organization and cellular integrity, yet their evolutionary and functional significance in non-classical model organisms remains poorly explored. Here, we systematically identified and characterized spectrin family genes in the silkworm &...

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Main Authors: Kunpeng Lu, Chengyu Zhan, Jianghong Shen, Chao Zhi, Jun Deng, Kerui Lai, Minjin Han, Hai Hu, Xiaoling Tong, Fangyin Dai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/556
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author Kunpeng Lu
Chengyu Zhan
Jianghong Shen
Chao Zhi
Jun Deng
Kerui Lai
Minjin Han
Hai Hu
Xiaoling Tong
Fangyin Dai
author_facet Kunpeng Lu
Chengyu Zhan
Jianghong Shen
Chao Zhi
Jun Deng
Kerui Lai
Minjin Han
Hai Hu
Xiaoling Tong
Fangyin Dai
author_sort Kunpeng Lu
collection DOAJ
description The spectrin family genes play critical roles in cytoskeletal organization and cellular integrity, yet their evolutionary and functional significance in non-classical model organisms remains poorly explored. Here, we systematically identified and characterized spectrin family genes in the silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>. Genome-wide analysis identified 17 predicted spectrin genes, which were integrated into eight optimized members through transcriptome-guided structural refinement. Multi-species genomic analysis revealed 8, 23, and 24 spectrin family genes in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, <i>Mus musculus</i>, and <i>Homo sapiens</i>, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed conserved clades across insects and mammals, with gene family expansions in vertebrates. Spatiotemporal expression profiling demonstrated ubiquitous expression of these genes during silkworm development. Population genomic analyses detected strong selection signatures in <i>BmTrio</i> during domestication and implicated <i>BmBeta_spc</i> as a candidate gene for silk yield enhancement in Chinese-improved strains (CHN-I). Expression profiles of parental strains and F<sub>1</sub> offspring from a commercial hybrid cross (Jingsong × Haoyue) revealed <i>BmBeta_spc</i> expression correlating with heterosis in silk yield traits. This study elucidates the characterization and functional relevance of silkworm spectrin genes, providing insights into their roles in domestication and breeding.
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spelling doaj-art-3dceba2446e04e4b99e13796ff23d4892025-08-20T03:27:14ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-05-0116655610.3390/insects16060556Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>Kunpeng Lu0Chengyu Zhan1Jianghong Shen2Chao Zhi3Jun Deng4Kerui Lai5Minjin Han6Hai Hu7Xiaoling Tong8Fangyin Dai9State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaThe spectrin family genes play critical roles in cytoskeletal organization and cellular integrity, yet their evolutionary and functional significance in non-classical model organisms remains poorly explored. Here, we systematically identified and characterized spectrin family genes in the silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>. Genome-wide analysis identified 17 predicted spectrin genes, which were integrated into eight optimized members through transcriptome-guided structural refinement. Multi-species genomic analysis revealed 8, 23, and 24 spectrin family genes in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, <i>Mus musculus</i>, and <i>Homo sapiens</i>, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed conserved clades across insects and mammals, with gene family expansions in vertebrates. Spatiotemporal expression profiling demonstrated ubiquitous expression of these genes during silkworm development. Population genomic analyses detected strong selection signatures in <i>BmTrio</i> during domestication and implicated <i>BmBeta_spc</i> as a candidate gene for silk yield enhancement in Chinese-improved strains (CHN-I). Expression profiles of parental strains and F<sub>1</sub> offspring from a commercial hybrid cross (Jingsong × Haoyue) revealed <i>BmBeta_spc</i> expression correlating with heterosis in silk yield traits. This study elucidates the characterization and functional relevance of silkworm spectrin genes, providing insights into their roles in domestication and breeding.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/556spectrin family genessilkwormgene structure optimizationdomesticationbreeding
spellingShingle Kunpeng Lu
Chengyu Zhan
Jianghong Shen
Chao Zhi
Jun Deng
Kerui Lai
Minjin Han
Hai Hu
Xiaoling Tong
Fangyin Dai
Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
Insects
spectrin family genes
silkworm
gene structure optimization
domestication
breeding
title Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_full Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_fullStr Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_short Characterization of Spectrin Family Genes and Their Evolutionary Roles in Domestication and Breeding of the Silkworm <i>Bombyx mori</i>
title_sort characterization of spectrin family genes and their evolutionary roles in domestication and breeding of the silkworm i bombyx mori i
topic spectrin family genes
silkworm
gene structure optimization
domestication
breeding
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/556
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